901
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Peng L, Jiang B, Yuan X, Qiu Y, Peng J, Huang Y, Zhang C, Zhang Y, Lin Z, Li J, Yao W, Deng W, Zhang Y, Meng M, Pan X, Li C, Yin D, Bi X, Li G, Lin DC. Super-Enhancer-Associated Long Noncoding RNA HCCL5 Is Activated by ZEB1 and Promotes the Malignancy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancer Res 2018; 79:572-584. [PMID: 30482773 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-0367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most dominant causes of neoplasm-related deaths worldwide. In this study, we identify and characterize HCCL5, a novel cytoplasmic long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), as a crucial oncogene in HCC. HCCL5 promoted cell growth, G1-S transition, invasion, and metastasis while inhibiting apoptosis of HCC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, HCCL5 was upregulated in TGF-β1-induced classical epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) models, and this lncRNA in turn accelerated the EMT phenotype by upregulating the expression of transcription factors Snail, Slug, ZEB1, and Twist1. HCCL5 was transcriptionally driven by ZEB1 via a super-enhancer and was significantly and frequently overexpressed in human HCC tissues, correlating with worse overall survival of patients with HCC. Together, this study characterizes HCCL5 as a super-enhancer-driven lncRNA promoting HCC cell viability, migration, and EMT. Our data also suggest that HCCL5 may serve as a novel prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in HCC. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings identify the lncRNA HCCL5 as a super-enhancer-driven oncogenic factor that promotes the malignancy of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Peng
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health and the Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Binyuan Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health and the Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Medical Research Center, Changsha Central Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoqing Yuan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Breast Tumor Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuntan Qiu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiangyun Peng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongsheng Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chaoyang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health and the Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yin Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhaoyu Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinsong Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weicheng Yao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weixi Deng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yaqin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health and the Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Meng Meng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xi Pan
- Department of Oncology, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chunquan Li
- School of Medical Informatics, Daqing Campus, Harbin Medical University, Daqing, China
| | - Dong Yin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinyu Bi
- Department of Hepato-Biliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Guancheng Li
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health and the Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China. .,Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - De-Chen Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China. .,Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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902
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Tsubakihara Y, Moustakas A. Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Metastasis under the Control of Transforming Growth Factor β. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19113672. [PMID: 30463358 PMCID: PMC6274739 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19113672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastasis of tumor cells from primary sites of malignancy to neighboring stromal tissue or distant localities entails in several instances, but not in every case, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT weakens the strong adhesion forces between differentiated epithelial cells so that carcinoma cells can achieve solitary or collective motility, which makes the EMT an intuitive mechanism for the initiation of tumor metastasis. EMT initiates after primary oncogenic events lead to secondary secretion of cytokines. The interaction between tumor-secreted cytokines and oncogenic stimuli facilitates EMT progression. A classic case of this mechanism is the cooperation between oncogenic Ras and the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ). The power of TGFβ to mediate EMT during metastasis depends on versatile signaling crosstalk and on the regulation of successive waves of expression of many other cytokines and the progressive remodeling of the extracellular matrix that facilitates motility through basement membranes. Since metastasis involves many organs in the body, whereas EMT affects carcinoma cell differentiation locally, it has frequently been debated whether EMT truly contributes to metastasis. Despite controversies, studies of circulating tumor cells, studies of acquired chemoresistance by metastatic cells, and several (but not all) metastatic animal models, support a link between EMT and metastasis, with TGFβ, often being a common denominator in this link. This article aims at discussing mechanistic cases where TGFβ signaling and EMT facilitate tumor cell dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutaro Tsubakihara
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Box 582, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden.
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Box 595, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Aristidis Moustakas
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Box 582, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden.
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Box 595, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden.
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903
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Guo S, Deng CX. Effect of Stromal Cells in Tumor Microenvironment on Metastasis Initiation. Int J Biol Sci 2018; 14:2083-2093. [PMID: 30585271 PMCID: PMC6299363 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.25720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The cellular environment where tumor cells reside is called the tumor microenvironment (TME), which consists of borders, blood vessels, lymph vessels, extracellular matrix (ECM), stromal cells, immune/inflammatory cells, secreted proteins, RNAs and small organelles. By dynamically interacting with tumor cells, stromal cells participate in all stages of tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, recurrence and drug response, and consequently, affect the fate of patients. During the processes of tumor evolution and metastasis initiation, stromal cells in TME also experience some changes and play roles in both the suppression and promotion of metastasis, while the overall function of stromal cells is beneficial for cancer cell survival and movement. In this review, we examine the effects of stromal cells in TME on metastasis initiation, including angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and invasion. We also highlight functions of proteins, RNAs and small organelles secreted by stromal cells in their influences on multiple stages of tumor metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chu-Xia Deng
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR, China
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904
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Role of noise and parametric variation in the dynamics of gene regulatory circuits. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2018; 4:40. [PMID: 30416751 PMCID: PMC6218471 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-018-0076-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2018] [Revised: 10/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Stochasticity in gene expression impacts the dynamics and functions of gene regulatory circuits. Intrinsic noises, including those that are caused by low copy number of molecules and transcriptional bursting, are usually studied by stochastic simulations. However, the role of extrinsic factors, such as cell-to-cell variability and heterogeneity in the microenvironment, is still elusive. To evaluate the effects of both the intrinsic and extrinsic noises, we develop a method, named sRACIPE, by integrating stochastic analysis with random circuit perturbation (RACIPE) method. RACIPE uniquely generates and analyzes an ensemble of models with random kinetic parameters. Previously, we have shown that the gene expression from random models form robust and functionally related clusters. In sRACIPE we further develop two stochastic simulation schemes, aiming to reduce the computational cost without sacrificing the convergence of statistics. One scheme uses constant noise to capture the basins of attraction, and the other one uses simulated annealing to detect the stability of states. By testing the methods on several synthetic gene regulatory circuits and an epithelial-mesenchymal transition network in squamous cell carcinoma, we demonstrate that sRACIPE can interpret the experimental observations from single-cell gene expression data. We observe that parametric variation (the spread of parameters around a median value) increases the spread of the gene expression clusters, whereas high noise merges the states. Our approach quantifies the robustness of a gene circuit in the presence of noise and sheds light on a new mechanism of noise-induced hybrid states. We have implemented sRACIPE as an R package.
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905
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Adamska A, Falasca M. Epithelial plasticity is crucial for pancreatic cancer metastatic organotropism. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2018; 6:S53. [PMID: 30613628 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2018.10.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Adamska
- Metabolic Signalling Group, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Marco Falasca
- Metabolic Signalling Group, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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906
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Woo D, Yu M. Circulating tumor cells as "liquid biopsies" to understand cancer metastasis. Transl Res 2018; 201:128-135. [PMID: 30075099 PMCID: PMC6177282 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2018.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are a subset of cancer cells that are shed from the primary or metastatic tumors into the bloodstream. CTCs are responsible for the establishment of blood-borne distant metastases but their rarity, estimated at one CTC per billion blood cells, presents the biggest technical barrier to their functional studies. Recent advances in CTC isolation technology have allowed for the reliable capture of CTCs from the whole blood of cancer patients. The ability to derive clinically relevant information from CTCs isolated through a blood draw allows for the monitoring of active disease, avoiding the invasiveness inherent to traditional biopsy techniques. This review will summarize recent developments in CTC isolation technology; the development of CTC-derived models; the unique molecular characteristics of CTCs at the transcriptomic, genomic, and proteomic levels; and how these characteristics have been correlated to prognosis and therapeutic efficacy. Finally, we will summarize the recent findings on several signaling pathways in CTCs and metastasis. The study of CTCs is central to understanding cancer biology and promises a "liquid biopsy" that can monitor disease status and guide therapeutic management in real time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Woo
- MD Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Min Yu
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
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907
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Zhou Z, Zhang HS, Zhang ZG, Sun HL, Liu HY, Gou XM, Yu XY, Huang YH. Loss of HACE1 promotes colorectal cancer cell migration via upregulation of YAP1. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:9663-9672. [PMID: 30362561 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third-leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. HACE1 function as a tumor-suppressor gene and is downregulated in several kinds of cancers. However, the distribution and clinical significance of HACE1 in CRC is still not clarified. In this study, we found that the HACE1 expression is greatly downregulated in CRC tissues and cell lines. Moreover, the HACE1 expression was significantly associated with inhibition of CRC cell proliferation, metastasis, and invasion. HACE1 inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition in CRC cells. Furthermore, we found that HACE1 altered the protein expression of the Hippo pathway by downregulation of YAP1. HACE1 suppresses the invasive ability of CRC cells by negatively regulating the YAP1 pathway. Our data indicates that HACE1 directly targets YAP1 and induces downregulation of YAP1, thereby increasing the activity of the Hippo pathway. In summary, these findings demonstrated that HACE1-YAP1 axis had an important part in the CRC development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Zhou
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science & Bioengineering, Beijing University of Technology, Chaoyang, Beijing, China
| | - Hong-Sheng Zhang
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science & Bioengineering, Beijing University of Technology, Chaoyang, Beijing, China
| | - Zhong-Guo Zhang
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science & Bioengineering, Beijing University of Technology, Chaoyang, Beijing, China
| | - Hong-Liang Sun
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science & Bioengineering, Beijing University of Technology, Chaoyang, Beijing, China
| | - Hui-Yun Liu
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science & Bioengineering, Beijing University of Technology, Chaoyang, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Meng Gou
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science & Bioengineering, Beijing University of Technology, Chaoyang, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Ying Yu
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science & Bioengineering, Beijing University of Technology, Chaoyang, Beijing, China
| | - Ying-Hui Huang
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science & Bioengineering, Beijing University of Technology, Chaoyang, Beijing, China
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908
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Ni S, Ren F, Xu M, Tan C, Weng W, Huang Z, Sheng W, Huang D. CTHRC1 overexpression predicts poor survival and enhances epithelial-mesenchymal transition in colorectal cancer. Cancer Med 2018; 7:5643-5654. [PMID: 30302922 PMCID: PMC6247052 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.1807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2018] [Revised: 08/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Collagen triple helix repeat containing (CTHRC1), which was identified as a cancer‐related factor, is a promigratory protein involved in multiple processes, including vascular remodeling, antifibrosis, metabolism, bone formation, and cancer. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical significance and possible role of CTHRC1 in the process of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) in colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we revealed that CTHRC1 mRNA and protein levels are both upregulated in CRC tissues compared with those of paired noncancerous tissues. Moreover, the overexpression of CTHRC1 correlated with poor prognosis in patients with CRC (especially colon cancer). Furthermore, we showed that CTHRC1 induced EMT and promoted cell motility in CRC cells. Importantly, we demonstrated that CTHRC1 promoted EMT by activating transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) signaling, revealing a possible effective therapeutic treatment for patients with CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujuan Ni
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Pathology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Ren
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Pathology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Midie Xu
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Pathology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cong Tan
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Pathology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiwei Weng
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Pathology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaohui Huang
- Wuxi Cancer Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Weiqi Sheng
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Pathology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dan Huang
- Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Pathology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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909
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Lin Y, Meng F, Lu Z, Chen K, Tao Y, Ouyang Y, Cao X. Knockdown of PKM2 suppresses tumor progression in human cervical cancer by modulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition via Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Cancer Manag Res 2018; 10:4191-4202. [PMID: 30323675 PMCID: PMC6177516 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s178219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Pyruvate kinase isozyme type M2 (PKM2) is a key glycolytic enzyme and is upregulated in multiple human malignancies. However, the role of PKM2 in human cervical cancer (CC) remains elusive. Thus, this study explored the role of PKM2 in CC by detecting its expression patterns in human CC tissues and cell lines and investigated its effects on cell proliferation and invasion. Materials and methods Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), immunohistochemistry and western blotting assays were used to detect the expression of PKM2 in CC tissues and CC cells. In vitro, we overexpressed and knocked down PKM2 expression in CC cell lines and investigated the biological function and underlying mechanism of PKM2 in cervical carcinogenesis. Results The results showed that PKM2 mRNA and protein were highly expressed in CC tissues and cell lines. Furthermore, increasing PKM2 expression was closely correlated with the clinical stage (P=0.001) and lymph node metastasis (P=0.023). The functional roles of PKM2 were determined using Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, and transwell assays. The results showed that PKM2 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and the migratory and invasive capacities of CC cells, suppressed epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), and inhibited Wnt/β-catenin signaling in vitro. However, overexpression of PKM2 led to increased proliferation and invasion activity as well as the EMT in CC cells. Conclusion Taken together, our study results revealed that PKM2 may act as a molecular target for CC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanzhu Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China,
| | - Fanqing Meng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Jinan Maternity and Child Care Hospital, Jinan, China
| | - Zhiyuan Lu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kai Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China,
| | - Yalan Tao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China,
| | - Yi Ouyang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China,
| | - Xinping Cao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China,
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910
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Ünlü B, Versteeg HH. Cancer-associated thrombosis: The search for the holy grail continues. Res Pract Thromb Haemost 2018; 2:622-629. [PMID: 30349879 PMCID: PMC6178660 DOI: 10.1002/rth2.12143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer patients have an increased risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE), a condition that is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Although risk assessment tools have been developed, it is still very challenging to predict which cancer patients will suffer from VTE. The scope of this review is to summarize and discuss studies focusing on the link between genetic alterations and risk of cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT). Thus far, classical risk factors that contribute to VTE have been tried as risk factors of CAT, with low success. In support, hypercoagulant plasma profiles in patients with CAT differ from those with only VTE, indicating other risk factors that contribute to VTE in cancer. As germline mutations do not significantly contribute to elevated risk of VTE, somatic mutations in tumors may significantly associate with and contribute to CAT. As it is very time-consuming to investigate each and every mutation, an unbiased approach is warranted. In this light we discuss our own recent unbiased proof-of-principle study using RNA sequencing in isolated colorectal cancer cells. Our work has uncovered candidate genes that associate with VTE in colorectal cancer, and these gene profiles associated with VTE more significantly than classical parameters such as platelet counts, D-dimer, and P-selectin levels. Genes associated with VTE could be linked to pathways being involved in coagulation, inflammation and methionine degradation. We conclude that tumor cell-specific gene expression profiles and/or mutational status has superior potential as predictors of VTE in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betül Ünlü
- Department of Internal MedicineEinthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular MedicineLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Henri H. Versteeg
- Department of Internal MedicineEinthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular MedicineLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
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911
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Zhong Y, Yang S, Wang W, Wei P, He S, Ma H, Yang J, Wang Q, Cao L, Xiong W, Zhou M, Li G, Shuai C, Peng S. The interaction of Lin28A/Rho associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase2 accelerates the malignancy of ovarian cancer. Oncogene 2018; 38:1381-1397. [PMID: 30266988 PMCID: PMC6372474 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-018-0512-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2018] [Revised: 08/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the leading cause of death among women with gynecologic malignant diseases, however, the molecular mechanism of ovarian cancer is not well defined. Previous studies have found that RNA binding protein Lin28A is a key factor of maintain the pluripotency of stem cells, and it is positively correlated with the degree of several cancers (breast, prostate, liver cancer, etc). Our previous study shows that Lin28A is highly expressed in OC tissues and is involved in the regulation of OC cell biological behavior. In this study, we confirmed that high expression of Lin28A promoted the survival, invasion, metastasis, and inhibited the apoptosis of OC cells. Lin28A interacts with Rho associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase2 (ROCK2) but not ROCK1 and upregulates the expression of ROCK2 in OC cells. The binding sites of each other were identified by truncated mutations and Immuno-precipitaion (IP) assay. After knock down of ROCK2 in cells with high expression of Lin28A, the survival, invasion, metastasis was significantly inhibited and early apoptosis was increased in OC cells and OC xenograft in nude mice. Our experimental data also showed that knock down of ROCK2 but not ROCK1 inhibited the invasion by decreasing the expression of N-cadherin, Slug, β-catenin and increasing ZO-1 expression. Simultaneously, knock down of ROCK2 induced cell apoptosis by increasing cleaved Caspase-9,cleaved Caspase-7, and cleaved Caspase-3. Taken together, Lin28A regulated the biological behaviors in OC cells through ROCK2 and the interaction of Lin28A/ROCK2 may be a new target for diagnosis and gene therapy of OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yancheng Zhong
- Hunan Provincial Tumor Hospital and the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Sheng Yang
- Human Reproduction Center, Shenzhen Hospital of Hongkong University, Haiyuan 1 Road, Futian, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wei Wang
- The Pathology Department of the Jining Medical University, Shan Dong, China
| | - Pingpin Wei
- Hunan Provincial Tumor Hospital and the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Shiwei He
- Hunan Provincial Tumor Hospital and the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Haotian Ma
- Hunan Provincial Tumor Hospital and the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Juan Yang
- Hunan Provincial Tumor Hospital and the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qian Wang
- The department of Gynecology of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lanqin Cao
- The department of Gynecology of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wei Xiong
- Hunan Provincial Tumor Hospital and the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ming Zhou
- Hunan Provincial Tumor Hospital and the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Guiyuan Li
- Hunan Provincial Tumor Hospital and the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Cijun Shuai
- Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Shuping Peng
- Hunan Provincial Tumor Hospital and the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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912
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Jolly MK, Somarelli JA, Sheth M, Biddle A, Tripathi SC, Armstrong AJ, Hanash SM, Bapat SA, Rangarajan A, Levine H. Hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotypes promote metastasis and therapy resistance across carcinomas. Pharmacol Ther 2018; 194:161-184. [PMID: 30268772 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2018.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 202] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cancer metastasis and therapy resistance are the major unsolved clinical challenges, and account for nearly all cancer-related deaths. Both metastasis and therapy resistance are fueled by epithelial plasticity, the reversible phenotypic transitions between epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). EMT and MET have been largely considered as binary processes, where cells detach from the primary tumor as individual units with many, if not all, traits of a mesenchymal cell (EMT) and then convert back to being epithelial (MET). However, recent studies have demonstrated that cells can metastasize in ways alternative to traditional EMT paradigm; for example, they can detach as clusters, and/or occupy one or more stable hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) phenotypes that can be the end point of a transition. Such hybrid E/M cells can integrate various epithelial and mesenchymal traits and markers, facilitating collective cell migration. Furthermore, these hybrid E/M cells may possess higher tumor-initiation and metastatic potential as compared to cells on either end of the EMT spectrum. Here, we review in silico, in vitro, in vivo and clinical evidence for the existence of one or more hybrid E/M phenotype(s) in multiple carcinomas, and discuss their implications in tumor-initiation, tumor relapse, therapy resistance, and metastasis. Together, these studies drive the emerging notion that cells in a hybrid E/M phenotype may occupy 'metastatic sweet spot' in multiple subtypes of carcinomas, and pathways linked to this (these) hybrid E/M state(s) may be relevant as prognostic biomarkers as well as a promising therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Jason A Somarelli
- Duke Cancer Institute and Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA
| | - Maya Sheth
- Duke Cancer Institute and Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA
| | - Adrian Biddle
- Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Satyendra C Tripathi
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - Andrew J Armstrong
- Duke Cancer Institute and Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA
| | - Samir M Hanash
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - Sharmila A Bapat
- National Center for Cell Science, Savitribai Phule Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind, Pune, India
| | - Annapoorni Rangarajan
- Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development & Genetics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Herbert Levine
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
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913
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Choe C, Kim H, Min S, Park S, Seo J, Roh S. SOX2, a stemness gene, induces progression of NSCLC A549 cells toward anchorage-independent growth and chemoresistance to vinblastine. Onco Targets Ther 2018; 11:6197-6207. [PMID: 30288055 PMCID: PMC6163012 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s175810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is difficult to treat successfully. This intractability is mainly due to the cancer progressing through invasion, metastasis, chemotherapeutic resistance and relapse. Stemness has been linked to the various steps of cancer progression in a variety of tumors, yet little is known regarding its role in NSCLC. Purpose In this study, we sought to determine the role of SOX2, a master regulator of pluripotency, in the growth of extracellular matrix (ECM)-detached cells during cancer progression. Methods We established a three-dimensional (3D) Poly-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (poly-HEMA) culture of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) A549 cells as an ECM-detached cell growth model and examined the role of stemness genes using siRNA and small molecule inhibitor in comparison to standard two dimensional (2D) culture. Results In poly-HEMA culture, A549 cells formed substratum-detached spheroids with characteristics of intermediate epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and exhibited greater expression of SOX2 than did control 2D cells. Knockdown of SOX2 markedly suppressed the growth of A549 cell aggregates in poly-HEMA culture conditions and furthermore increased their sensitivity to the anticancer drug vinblastine with concomitant downregulation of the activity of the anti-apoptotic AKT kinase. Interestingly, a small molecule, RepSox, which replaces SOX2, stimulated A549 cell growth in poly-HEMA 3D culture condition. Conclusion Our findings strongly indicate that SOX2 contributes to anchorage-independent growth and chemoresistance via its downstream signaling mediator AKT kinase during the disease progression of NSCLC. SOX2 may therefore be an invaluable therapeutic target of NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chungyoul Choe
- Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University, School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea,
| | - Hyewon Kim
- Laboratory of Cellular Reprogramming and Embryo Biotechnology, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea,
| | - Sol Min
- Laboratory of Cellular Reprogramming and Embryo Biotechnology, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea,
| | - Sangkyu Park
- Laboratory of Cellular Reprogramming and Embryo Biotechnology, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, .,Biomedical Research Institute, NeoRegen Biotech Co., Ltd., Gyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - Jeongmin Seo
- Laboratory of Cellular Reprogramming and Embryo Biotechnology, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, .,Biomedical Research Institute, NeoRegen Biotech Co., Ltd., Gyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - Sangho Roh
- Laboratory of Cellular Reprogramming and Embryo Biotechnology, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea,
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914
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Basu S, Cheriyamundath S, Ben-Ze'ev A. Cell-cell adhesion: linking Wnt/β-catenin signaling with partial EMT and stemness traits in tumorigenesis. F1000Res 2018; 7. [PMID: 30271576 PMCID: PMC6144947 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.15782.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in cell adhesion and motility are considered key elements in determining the development of invasive and metastatic tumors. Co-opting the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, which is known to occur during embryonic development, and the associated changes in cell adhesion properties in cancer cells are considered major routes for tumor progression. More recent
in vivo studies in tumor tissues and circulating tumor cell clusters suggest a stepwise EMT process rather than an “all-or-none” transition during tumor progression. In this commentary, we addressed the molecular mechanisms underlying the changes in cell adhesion and motility and adhesion-mediated signaling and their relationships to the partial EMT states and the acquisition of stemness traits by cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayon Basu
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Sanith Cheriyamundath
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Avri Ben-Ze'ev
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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915
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Jolly MK, Preca BT, Tripathi SC, Jia D, George JT, Hanash SM, Brabletz T, Stemmler MP, Maurer J, Levine H. Interconnected feedback loops among ESRP1, HAS2, and CD44 regulate epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity in cancer. APL Bioeng 2018; 2:031908. [PMID: 31069317 PMCID: PMC6324214 DOI: 10.1063/1.5024874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in carcinoma cells contributes to increased migration and invasion, metastasis, drug resistance, and tumor-initiating capacity. EMT is not always a binary process; rather, cells may exhibit a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) phenotype. ZEB1-a key transcription factor driving EMT-can both induce and maintain a mesenchymal phenotype. Recent studies have identified two novel autocrine feedback loops utilizing epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1 (ESRP1), hyaluronic acid synthase 2 (HAS2), and CD44 which maintain high levels of ZEB1. However, how the crosstalk between these feedback loops alters the dynamics of epithelial-hybrid-mesenchymal transition remains elusive. Here, using an integrated theoretical-experimental framework, we identify that these feedback loops can enable cells to stably maintain a hybrid E/M phenotype. Moreover, computational analysis identifies the regulation of ESRP1 as a crucial node, a prediction that is validated by experiments showing that knockdown of ESRP1 in stable hybrid E/M H1975 cells drives EMT. Finally, in multiple breast cancer datasets, high levels of ESRP1, ESRP1/HAS2, and ESRP1/ZEB1 correlate with poor prognosis, supporting the relevance of ZEB1/ESRP1 and ZEB1/HAS2 axes in tumor progression. Together, our results unravel how these interconnected feedback loops act in concert to regulate ZEB1 levels and to drive the dynamics of epithelial-hybrid-mesenchymal transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice
University, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | | | - Satyendra C. Tripathi
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, UT MD
Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030,
USA
| | | | | | - Samir M. Hanash
- Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, UT MD
Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030,
USA
| | - Thomas Brabletz
- Department of Experimental Medicine I,
Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center for Molecular Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander
University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen 91054,
Germany
| | - Marc P. Stemmler
- Department of Experimental Medicine I,
Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center for Molecular Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander
University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen 91054,
Germany
| | - Jochen Maurer
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed: and
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916
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da Silva-Diz V, Lorenzo-Sanz L, Bernat-Peguera A, Lopez-Cerda M, Muñoz P. Cancer cell plasticity: Impact on tumor progression and therapy response. Semin Cancer Biol 2018; 53:48-58. [PMID: 30130663 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2018.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 08/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Most tumors exhibit intra-tumor heterogeneity, which is associated with disease progression and an impaired response to therapy. Cancer cell plasticity has been proposed as being an important mechanism that, along with genetic and epigenetic alterations, promotes cancer cell diversity and contributes to intra-tumor heterogeneity. Plasticity endows cancer cells with the capacity to shift dynamically between a differentiated state, with limited tumorigenic potential, and an undifferentiated or cancer stem-like cell (CSC) state, which is responsible for long-term tumor growth. In addition, it confers the ability to transit into distinct CSC states with different competence to invade, disseminate and seed metastasis. Cancer cell plasticity has been linked to the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition program and relies not only on cell-autonomous mechanisms, but also on signals provided by the tumor microenvironment and/or induced in response to therapy. We provide an overview of the dynamic transition for cancer cell states, the mechanisms governing cell plasticity and their impact on tumor progression, metastasis and therapy response. Understanding the mechanisms involved in cancer cell plasticity will provide insights for establishing new therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laura Lorenzo-Sanz
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Adrià Bernat-Peguera
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Lopez-Cerda
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Purificación Muñoz
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain.
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917
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Agerbæk MØ, Bang-Christensen SR, Yang MH, Clausen TM, Pereira MA, Sharma S, Ditlev SB, Nielsen MA, Choudhary S, Gustavsson T, Sorensen PH, Meyer T, Propper D, Shamash J, Theander TG, Aicher A, Daugaard M, Heeschen C, Salanti A. The VAR2CSA malaria protein efficiently retrieves circulating tumor cells in an EpCAM-independent manner. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3279. [PMID: 30115931 PMCID: PMC6095877 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05793-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Isolation of metastatic circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from cancer patients is of high value for disease monitoring and molecular characterization. Despite the development of many new CTC isolation platforms in the last decade, their isolation and detection has remained a challenge due to the lack of specific and sensitive markers. In this feasibility study, we present a method for CTC isolation based on the specific binding of the malaria rVAR2 protein to oncofetal chondroitin sulfate (ofCS). We show that rVAR2 efficiently captures CTCs from hepatic, lung, pancreatic, and prostate carcinoma patients with minimal contamination of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Expression of ofCS is present on epithelial and mesenchymal cancer cells and is equally preserved during epithelial–mesenchymal transition of cancer cells. In 25 stage I–IV prostate cancer patient samples, CTC enumeration significantly correlates with disease stage. Lastly, rVAR2 targets a larger and more diverse population of CTCs compared to anti-EpCAM strategies. Isolation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) allows for non-invasive disease monitoring and characterization. Here the authors describe an alternative CTC isolation method based on the ability of the malaria rVAR2 protein to specifically bind oncofetal chondroitin sulfate, which is expressed by all cancer cells
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Affiliation(s)
- Mette Ø Agerbæk
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3Z6, Canada.,Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Sara R Bang-Christensen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ming-Hsin Yang
- Stem Cells in Cancer & Ageing, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom.,Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, 11490, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Thomas M Clausen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3Z6, Canada.,Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Marina A Pereira
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Shreya Sharma
- Stem Cells in Cancer & Ageing, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Sisse B Ditlev
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten A Nielsen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Swati Choudhary
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tobias Gustavsson
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Poul H Sorensen
- Department of Molecular Oncology, British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Tim Meyer
- UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - David Propper
- Department of Medical Oncology, Barts Health NHS, London, EC1A 7BE, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Shamash
- Department of Medical Oncology, Barts Health NHS, London, EC1A 7BE, United Kingdom
| | - Thor G Theander
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alexandra Aicher
- Stem Cells in Cancer & Ageing, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Mads Daugaard
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3Z6, Canada.,Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Christopher Heeschen
- Stem Cells in Cancer & Ageing, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom. .,School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
| | - Ali Salanti
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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918
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919
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Li S, Liu Y, Liu L, Feng Y, Ding L, Ju H. A Hierarchical Coding Strategy for Live Cell Imaging of Protein-Specific Glycoform. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201807054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Siqiao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Nanjing University; Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Yiran Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Nanjing University; Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Lu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Nanjing University; Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Yimei Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Nanjing University; Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Lin Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Nanjing University; Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Huangxian Ju
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Nanjing University; Nanjing 210023 China
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920
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Li S, Liu Y, Liu L, Feng Y, Ding L, Ju H. A Hierarchical Coding Strategy for Live Cell Imaging of Protein-Specific Glycoform. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018; 57:12007-12011. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201807054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Siqiao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Nanjing University; Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Yiran Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Nanjing University; Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Lu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Nanjing University; Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Yimei Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Nanjing University; Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Lin Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Nanjing University; Nanjing 210023 China
| | - Huangxian Ju
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Nanjing University; Nanjing 210023 China
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921
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Celià-Terrassa T, Kang Y. Metastatic niche functions and therapeutic opportunities. Nat Cell Biol 2018; 20:868-877. [PMID: 30050120 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-018-0145-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis is an inefficient process, especially during colonization at a distant organ. This bottleneck underlies the importance of the metastatic niche for seeding and outgrowth of metastases. Here, we classify the common functions of different metastatic niches: anchorage, survival support, protection from external insults, licensing proliferation and outgrowth. We highlight the emerging role of the metastatic niche in maintaining cancer stemness and promoting immune evasion, and discuss therapeutic opportunities against the metastatic niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toni Celià-Terrassa
- Cancer Research Program, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Yibin Kang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
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922
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Zhang Y, Weinberg RA. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in cancer: complexity and opportunities. Front Med 2018; 12:361-373. [PMID: 30043221 PMCID: PMC6186394 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-018-0656-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 427] [Impact Index Per Article: 71.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The cell-biological program termed the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in both development and cancer progression. Depending on the contextual signals and intracellular gene circuits of a particular cell, this program can drive fully epithelial cells to enter into a series of phenotypic states arrayed along the epithelial-mesenchymal phenotypic axis. These cell states display distinctive cellular characteristics, including stemness, invasiveness, drug-resistance and the ability to form metastases at distant organs, and thereby contribute to cancer metastasis and relapse. Currently we still lack a coherent overview of the molecular and biochemical mechanisms inducing cells to enter various states along the epithelial-mesenchymal phenotypic spectrum. An improved understanding of the dynamic and plastic nature of the EMT program has the potential to yield novel therapies targeting this cellular program that may aid in the management of high-grade malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Zhang
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.
| | - Robert A Weinberg
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA. .,MIT Department of Biology, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA. .,Ludwig/MIT Center for Molecular Oncology, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.
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923
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Kumar B, Prasad M, Bhat-Nakshatri P, Anjanappa M, Kalra M, Marino N, Storniolo AM, Rao X, Liu S, Wan J, Liu Y, Nakshatri H. Normal Breast-Derived Epithelial Cells with Luminal and Intrinsic Subtype-Enriched Gene Expression Document Interindividual Differences in Their Differentiation Cascade. Cancer Res 2018; 78:5107-5123. [PMID: 29997232 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-0509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Cell-type origin is one of the factors that determine molecular features of tumors, but resources to validate this concept are scarce because of technical difficulties in propagating major cell types of adult organs. Previous attempts to generate such resources to study breast cancer have yielded predominantly basal-type cell lines. We have created a panel of immortalized cell lines from core breast biopsies of ancestry-mapped healthy women that form ductal structures similar to normal breast in 3D cultures and expressed markers of major cell types, including the luminal-differentiated cell-enriched ERα-FOXA1-GATA3 transcription factor network. We have also created cell lines from PROCR (CD201)+/EpCAM- cells that are likely the "normal" counterpart of the claudin-low subtype of breast cancers. RNA-seq and PAM50-intrinsic subtype clustering identified these cell lines as the "normal" counterparts of luminal A, basal, and normal-like subtypes and validated via immunostaining with basal-enriched KRT14 and luminal-enriched KRT19. We further characterized these cell lines by flow cytometry for distribution patterns of stem/basal, luminal-progenitor, mature/differentiated, multipotent PROCR+ cells, and organogenesis-enriched epithelial/mesenchymal hybrid cells using CD44/CD24, CD49f/EpCAM, CD271/EpCAM, CD201/EpCAM, and ALDEFLUOR assays and E-cadherin/vimentin double staining. These cell lines showed interindividual heterogeneity in stemness/differentiation capabilities and baseline activity of signaling molecules such as NF-κB, AKT2, pERK, and BRD4. These resources can be used to test the emerging concept that genetic variations in regulatory regions contribute to widespread differences in gene expression in "normal" conditions among the general population and can delineate the impact of cell-type origin on tumor progression.Significance: In addition to providing a valuable resource for the breast cancer research community to investigate cell-type origin of different subtypes of breast cancer, this study highlights interindividual differences in normal breast, emphasizing the need to use "normal" cells from multiple sources as controls to decipher the effects of cancer-specific genomic aberrations. Cancer Res; 78(17); 5107-23. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brijesh Kumar
- Departments of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Mayuri Prasad
- Departments of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | | | - Manjushree Anjanappa
- Departments of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Maitri Kalra
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Natascia Marino
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Anna Maria Storniolo
- Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Xi Rao
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Sheng Liu
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Jun Wan
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Yunlong Liu
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Harikrishna Nakshatri
- Departments of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana. .,Deaprtment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.,VA Roudebush Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
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924
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Campbell K. Contribution of epithelial-mesenchymal transitions to organogenesis and cancer metastasis. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2018; 55:30-35. [PMID: 30006053 PMCID: PMC6284102 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2018.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays crucial roles during development, and inappropriate activation of EMTs are associated with tumor progression and promoting metastasis. In recent years, increasing studies have identified developmental contexts where cells undergo an EMT and transition to a partial-state, downregulating just a subset of epithelial characteristics and increasing only some mesenchymal traits, such as invasive motility. In parallel, recent studies have shown that EMTs are rarely fully activated in tumor cells, generating a diverse array of transition states. As our appreciation of the full spectrum of intermediate phenotypes and the huge diversity in underlying mechanisms grows, cross-disciplinary collaborations investigating developmental-EMTs and cancer-EMTs will be fundamental in order to achieve a full mechanistic understanding of this complex cell process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyra Campbell
- Bateson Centre, Firth Court, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, UK; Department of Biomedical Science, Firth Court, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, UK.
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925
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Jolly MK, Mani SA, Levine H. Hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype(s): The 'fittest' for metastasis? Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2018; 1870:151-157. [PMID: 29997040 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2018.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis is the leading cause of mortality among cancer patients. Dissemination enabled by an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of carcinoma cells has long been considered to be the predominant mechanism for carcinoma metastasis, based on overexpression studies of many EMT-inducing transcription factors. Individual CTCs - and a binary framework of EMT - have been long considered to be sufficient and necessary condition for metastasis. However, recent studies have shown that collective migration and invasion through tumor buds and clusters of Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) as possibly being the prevalent mode of metastasis, although individual CTCs may still contribute to metastasis. These strands and clusters have been proposed to often exhibit a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) phenotype where cells retain epithelial traits of cell-cell adhesion and simultaneously gain mesenchymal characteristics of migration and invasion. To highlight the crucial questions regarding metastasis, we define EMT in a non-binary and context-specific manner, suggest that it can be viewed as a trans-differentiation process, and illustrate the implications of hybrid E/M phenotype(s) and cluster-based dissemination in metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sendurai A Mani
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Herbert Levine
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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926
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Bocci F, Jolly MK, George JT, Levine H, Onuchic JN. A mechanism-based computational model to capture the interconnections among epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cancer stem cells and Notch-Jagged signaling. Oncotarget 2018; 9:29906-29920. [PMID: 30042822 PMCID: PMC6057462 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cell (CSCs) formation are two fundamental and well-studied processes contributing to cancer metastasis and tumor relapse. Cells can undergo a partial EMT to attain a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (E/M) phenotype or a complete EMT to attain a mesenchymal one. Similarly, cells can reversibly gain or lose 'stemness'. This plasticity in cell states is modulated by signaling pathways such as Notch. However, the interconnections among the cell states enabled by EMT, CSCs and Notch signaling remain elusive. Here, we devise a computational model to investigate the coupling among the core decision-making circuits for EMT, CSCs and Notch. Our model predicts that hybrid E/M cells are most likely to associate with stem-like traits and enhanced Notch-Jagged signaling – a pathway implicated in therapeutic resistance. Further, we show that the position of the 'stemness window' on the 'EMT axis' is varied by altering the coupling strength between EMT and CSC circuits, and/or modulating Notch signaling. Finally, we analyze the gene expression profile of CSCs from several cancer types and observe a heterogeneous distribution along the 'EMT axis', suggesting that different subsets of CSCs may exist with varying phenotypes along the epithelial-mesenchymal axis. We further investigate therapeutic perturbations such as treatment with metformin, a drug associated with decreased cancer incidence and increased lifespan of patients. Our mechanism-based model explains how metformin can both inhibit EMT and blunt the aggressive potential of CSCs simultaneously, by driving the cells out of a hybrid E/M stem-like state with enhanced Notch-Jagged signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Bocci
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.,Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Mohit Kumar Jolly
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Jason Thomas George
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.,Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Herbert Levine
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.,Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.,Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - José Nelson Onuchic
- Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.,Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.,Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA.,Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
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927
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MicroRNA Control of TGF-β Signaling. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19071901. [PMID: 29958433 PMCID: PMC6073626 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19071901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 06/17/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation shapes the transcriptome and proteome changes induced by various cellular signaling cascades. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory RNAs that are approximately 22 nucleotides long, which direct the post-transcriptional regulation of diverse target genes and control cell states. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β family is a multifunctional cytokine family, which plays many regulatory roles in the development and pathogenesis of diverse diseases, including fibrotic disease, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Previous studies have shown that the TGF-β pathway includes the miRNA pathway as an important component of its downstream signaling cascades. Multiple studies of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related miRNAs have highlighted that miRNAs constitute the intrinsic bistable molecular switches of cell states by forming double negative feedback loops with EMT-inducing transcription factors. This may be important for understanding the reversibility of EMT at the single-cell level, the presence of distinct EMT transition states and the intra- and inter-tumor heterogeneity of cancer cell phenotypes. In the present review, I summarize the connection between TGF-β signaling and the miRNA pathway, placing particular emphasis on the regulation of miRNA expression by TGF-β signaling, the modulation of TGF-β signaling by miRNAs, the miRNA-mediated modulation of EMT and endothelial–mesenchymal transition as well as the crosstalk between miRNA and TGF-β pathways in the tumor microenvironment.
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928
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Shinde A, Libring S, Alpsoy A, Abdullah A, Schaber JA, Solorio L, Wendt MK. Autocrine Fibronectin Inhibits Breast Cancer Metastasis. Mol Cancer Res 2018; 16:1579-1589. [PMID: 29934326 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-18-0151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Both epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) are linked to metastasis via their ability to increase invasiveness and enhance tumor-initiating capacity. Growth factors, cytokines, and chemotherapies present in the tumor microenvironment (TME) are capable of inducing EMT, but the role of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in this process remains poorly understood. Here, a novel tessellated three-dimensional (3D) polymer scaffolding is used to produce a fibrillar fibronectin matrix that induces an EMT-like event that includes phosphorylation of STAT3 and requires expression of β1 integrin. Consistent with these findings, analysis of the METABRIC dataset strongly links high-level fibronectin (FN) expression to decreased patient survival. In contrast, in vitro analysis of the MCF-10A progression series indicated that intracellular FN expression was associated with nonmetastatic cells. Therefore, differential bioluminescent imaging was used to track the metastasis of isogenic epithelial and mesenchymal cells within heterogeneous tumors. Interestingly, mesenchymal tumor cells do not produce a FN matrix and cannot complete the metastatic process, even when grown within a tumor containing epithelial cells. However, mesenchymal tumor cells form FN-containing cellular fibrils capable of supporting the growth and migration of metastatic-competent tumor cells. Importantly, depletion of FN allows mesenchymal tumor cells to regain epithelial characteristics and initiate in vivo tumor growth within a metastatic microenvironment.Implications: In contrast to the tumor-promoting functions of fibronectin within the ECM, these data suggest that autocrine fibronectin production inhibits the metastatic potential of mesenchymal tumor cells. Mol Cancer Res; 16(10); 1579-89. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparna Shinde
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Sarah Libring
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Aktan Alpsoy
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Ammara Abdullah
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - James A Schaber
- Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Luis Solorio
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. .,Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Michael K Wendt
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. .,Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
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929
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Redfern AD, Spalding LJ, Thompson EW. The Kraken Wakes: induced EMT as a driver of tumour aggression and poor outcome. Clin Exp Metastasis 2018; 35:285-308. [PMID: 29948647 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-018-9906-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) describes the shift of cells from an epithelial form to a contact independent, migratory, mesenchymal form. In cancer the change is linked to invasion and metastasis. Tumour conditions, including hypoxia, acidosis and a range of treatments can trigger EMT, which is implicated in the subsequent development of resistance to those same treatments. Consequently, the degree to which EMT occurs may underpin the entire course of tumour progression and treatment response in a patient. In this review we look past the protective effect of EMT against the initial treatment, to the role of the mesenchymal state, once triggered, in promoting disease growth, spread and future treatment insensitivity. In patients a correlation was found between the propensity of a treatment to induce EMT and failure of that treatment to provide a survival benefit, implicating EMT induction in accelerated tumour progression after treatment cessation. Looking to the mechanisms driving this detrimental effect; increased proliferation, suppressed apoptosis, stem cell induction, augmented angiogenesis, enhanced metastatic dissemination, and immune tolerance, can all result from treatment-induced EMT and could worsen outcome. Evidence also suggests EMT induction with earlier therapies attenuates benefits of later treatments. Looking beyond epithelial tumours, de-differentiation also has therapy-attenuating effects and reversal thereof may yield similar rewards. A range of potential therapies are in development that may address the diverse mechanisms and molecular control systems involved in EMT-induced accelerated progression. Considering the broad reaching effects of mesenchymal shift identified, successful deployment of such treatments could substantially improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D Redfern
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia (UWA), Harry Perkins Building, Fiona Stanley Hospital Campus, Robin Warren Drive, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia.
| | - Lisa J Spalding
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia (UWA), Harry Perkins Building, Fiona Stanley Hospital Campus, Robin Warren Drive, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
| | - Erik W Thompson
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia.,Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Australia.,Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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930
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Debaugnies M, Sánchez-Danés A, Rorive S, Raphaël M, Liagre M, Parent MA, Brisebarre A, Salmon I, Blanpain C. YAP and TAZ are essential for basal and squamous cell carcinoma initiation. EMBO Rep 2018; 19:embr.201845809. [PMID: 29875149 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201845809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
YAP and TAZ are key downstream regulators of the Hippo pathway, regulating cell proliferation and differentiation. YAP and TAZ activation has been reported in different cancer types. However, it remains unclear whether they are required for the initiation of major skin malignancies like basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Here, we analyze the expression of YAP and TAZ in these skin cancers and evaluate cancer initiation in knockout mouse models. We show that YAP and TAZ are nuclear and highly expressed in different BCC types in both human and mice. Further, we find that cells with nuclear YAP and TAZ localize to the invasive front in well-differentiated SCC, whereas nuclear YAP is homogeneously expressed in spindle cell carcinoma undergoing EMT We also show that mouse BCC and SCC are enriched for YAP gene signatures. Finally, we find that the conditional deletion of YAP and TAZ in mouse models of BCC and SCC prevents tumor formation. Thus, YAP and TAZ are key determinants of skin cancer initiation, suggesting that targeting the YAP and TAZ signaling pathway might be beneficial for the treatment of skin cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maud Debaugnies
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Adriana Sánchez-Danés
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sandrine Rorive
- Department of Pathology, Erasme University Hospital, University Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Maylis Raphaël
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mélanie Liagre
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marie-Astrid Parent
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Audrey Brisebarre
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Isabelle Salmon
- Department of Pathology, Erasme University Hospital, University Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cédric Blanpain
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Cancer, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium .,WELBIO, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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931
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